Maharashtra Police Move Against Delhi Protest Sparks Political Row

Police Notice

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke has strongly criticized Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over police notices issued to party volunteers planning to attend a protest in Delhi on October 10. Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke slammed the move as dictatorial and questioned why Fadnavis was trying to act like Yogi Adityanath. Ballarpur police in Chandrapur district had issued a notice under BNSS Section 168 on October 5 to a party worker, asking about the source of funds for the Delhi trip, the protest goals, and warning against posting provocative content on social media.

Police Defense

Dipke also accused police forces in Maharashtra and Rajasthan of trying to sabotage the peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar by intimidating volunteers. He asked how Chandrapur police could predict violence and pointed out that Jantar Mantar does not fall under their jurisdiction. He challenged authorities to arrest him instead of troubling his coworkers, questioning if people cannot afford a train ticket on their own. In response, Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani told the Indian Express that these notices are just a routine precaution to prevent violence and ensure local station permission is sought, rather than targeting any specific individual.

Context

Precautionary police notices are frequently issued ahead of major demonstrations in India to manage public order and prevent potential law-and-order disruptions. Such actions often spark debates over the balance between maintaining safety and safeguarding citizens' rights to peaceful assembly.